Muir Creek Recreation
Muir Creek is unique in its natural richness
and scenic beauty. The diversity of
plant and animal species includes noted
species at risk. The area provides residents
and visitors the opportunity to
experience an accessible example of a
vanishing and unique West Coast Rain
Forest, with an unspoiled fish-bearing
stream. Local residents enjoy the beauty
of Muir Creek for sports, recreation,
education and quiet contemplation. This
resource enhances the quality of life and
provides far-reaching economic, social,
educational, recreational, healthful and
spiritual benefits to the community.
The coastal beach, with sandstone pools,
teems with intertidal life. It offers a
splendid vista that may include resident
orca whales and migratory grey whales
as they move through Orveas Bay. The
lush, saltwater estuary, rimmed with kelp
beds, is a productive feeding area for sea
mammals and migratory birds. The tidal
zone, a mix of fresh and salt water, comprises
the first 1km of stream course up
from the mouth of the creek.
One of the most prominent and easily
accessible showings of Cenozoic fossils
on Vancouver Island is along the beach a
few hundred metres west of Muir Creek.
Student groups visit this fossil site and
the beach is well used year-round for
picnics, whale watching, nature walks,
bird watching, wind surfing, kayaking,
rock hounding and beach combing.
At the mouth of the creek, there are
possibilities for surfing, fishing and parasailing.
The Muir Creek area is mentioned
on both the CRD website and the Sooke
Region Museum website as a place for
tourists to visit. It is located along the
Pacific Marine Circle Route, which is
being developed and promoted for the
enjoyment of tourists.
North of the Muir Creek bridge, old
growth trees trace the creek bed. The first
groves of these trees are easily found
along a 1.5 km trail from West Coast
Road running parallel to Anderson Road.
The trail follows the creek through the
grove of substantial cedars, hemlocks,
large Douglas fir, yew trees and massive
Sitka spruce. The sun in the summer
warms the rocks in the creek and when
the tide returns there are two pleasant,
sun-warmed swimming spots in this
lower reach of the creek.
The east side trail is flat for the first
500 metres and then it continues up
a steep bank and follows along a ridge
another kilometre upstream. In the dry
season when the water is low, it is possible
to cross to the west side of the creek
instead of going up the steep bank. The
west side trail is rudimentary, but very
interesting. Traversing the creek’s gravel
beds, the hiker can enter the stunning
upstream valleys which are studded with
massive cedar and spruce trees, ancient
yews, giant maples and lush ferns.
From the ridge trail on the east side,
old-growth trees can be seen down the
steep embankments and in the creek
valley. The area of the ridge was logged
60 to 70 years ago, and only a few trees
at the top of the ridge are older than 70
years. Most of the ancient trees are in the
low-lying areas beside the creek. Some
of the old growth trees on the embankments
show evidence of surviving a fire
that ravaged areas further away from the
wet zone of the creek: these trees were
spared logging in the past due to the
steep terrain.
The rain forest along the banks of the
creek displays spectacular abundance. It
is filled with wildflowers and medicinal
plants among the more obvious giant
trees, mosses and ferns. The forest is
home to many bird and animal species
including eagles, bear and cougar. The
creek itself hosts healthy, self-sustaining
salmon and steelhead populations. The
overhanging lace of old growth forest
shelters their spawning beds and the
purity of the water is protected by these
guardians.
More Information
Description and Location
Forest Areas
Steelhead and Salmon
History
Timber West Logging
Species at Risk
Big trees
Big Tree Registry
Muir Creek Totem Pole